Toilet paper dispenser

ABSTRACT

A single-handed toilet paper dispenser that provides two spool pins that snugly engage the inner circumferential walls of the lumen of a toilet roll, one spool pin at each end thereof. The snug engagement provides a preselected frictional force between the portions of the inner circumferential walls engaging the spool pins so that a user may pull on the distal end of the toilet paper roll and rotate the entire roll to its end, yet if the same user tugs at the same location with more force, one or more toilet paper sheets tear off at an upstream perforation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 63/309,979, filed 14 Feb. 2022 the contents of which areherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to toilet paper dispensers and, moreparticularly, to a toilet paper dispenser which allows using just onehand to selectively detach one or more sheets of toilet paper from theroll.

For toilet paper dispensers to provide easily detachable toilet papersquares from the toilet paper roll over multiple uses, the toilet paperroll needs to be able to rotate or ‘roll’. However, the spools ofcurrent toilet paper dispensers provide little to no resistance to therotational velocity of a rolling toilet paper roll. And as a result, theuser must use one hand to hold the roll while the other hand is neededto selectively remove the desired amount of toilet paper squares. Thisprocess of holding the toilet paper after just going to the bathroom canbe very unhygienic, as well as unpleasant for the next user.

Conventional toilet paper dispensers have a spool that has a diameterthat is significantly less than in the inner diameter of the toiletpaper roll. Typically, this difference in diameter is one-half inch ormore. Thus, current toilet paper dispenser spools have no purpose otherthan being a location to hang the roll, keeping it from falling to thefloor, other than facilitating runaway rolling.

A need exists for a toilet paper dispenser which enables single-handedselective detach of one or more sheets of the toilet paper, while stillallowing the toilet paper roll to rotate for the next use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a single-handed toilet paper dispenser with aroll engager that is dimensioned and adapted to snugly engage the innerdiameter of the toilet paper roll with a tolerance that enables the rollto rotate upon slowly pulling on the distal end or square of the toiletpaper, yet the tolerance provides sufficient friction so that a quicktug at the same distal end or square of the toilet paper results in theremoval of one or more sheets from an upstream perforation.

The present invention may employ a spool pin on each of two opposingarms, wherein each spool pin snugly engages an inner circumference of anend portion of the lumen of the toilet paper roll. One or both opposingarms may be movable between an engaged/closed position and adisengaged/open position, where in the engaged/closed position the spoolpin mates the pin with the end portion of the roll's lumen, snuglyengaging the inner circumferential surface thereof. In thedisengaged/open position, for replacement purposes, the toilet paperroll may be removed from the remaining spool pin still engaging it.

The engaged/closed position holds the roll snugly enough so as to createresistance sufficient that tugging on the roll so that one or moretoilet paper sheets/squares will detach from the roll at the closestroll perforation upstream of the tug.

The present invention may include two spool pins which closely match theinside diameter of the toilet paper roll. With the roll installed, thespool pins use friction to control the speed of the roll and allow forthe toilet paper to be separated from the roll without having the otherhand hold the roll.

As a result, an individual can pull off as few as one sheet at a time oras many as desired. If one is unable to use two hands, this inventionsolves the “runaway roll,” problem. In short, the present invention doesnot require the use of two hands, while prior art toilet dispensers do.

In one aspect of the present invention, a toilet paper dispenserprovides two spool pins spaced apart so that each spool pin,respectively, directly engages one of two end portions of a lumen of atoilet paper roll so that a first pull along a distal end of the toiletpaper of the toilet paper roll results in rotating the toilet paper rollon the two spool pins, and wherein a second pull, greater in force thanthe first pull, results in one or more toilet paper sheets of the toiletpaper detaching from an upstream perforation of the toilet paper,whereby the one or more toilet sheets are detached single-handedly.

In another aspect of the present invention, the single-handed toiletpaper dispenser toilet paper dispenser includes wherein each spool pinhas a substantially cylindrical body, wherein the body directly engagesan inner circumferential wall of the end portion of said lumen, whereinthe body has a body diameter that is coextensive with a diameter definedby the inner circumferential wall (lumen), wherein the body has adiameter of approximately 42.2 millimeters, wherein one of the two spoolpins is movable relative the other spool pin and from its respective endportion of said lumen; and further including two arms, one arm for eachspool pin, wherein one of the two arms is pivotably connected to asupporting surface which supports the spacing apart of the two spoolpins, wherein a pivotal arm moves between an open position and a closedposition directly engaging the end portion of said lumen.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention with arm 20 in an open position and roll 28 being installed onspool pin 18.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention with roll 28 installed on spool pin 18 and illustrating arm 20moving from the open position to a closed position to place spool pin 22into roll 28.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention with arm 20 open.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, shown in use, allowing for single-handed detachment.

FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 1 , with paper roll 30 shown inhidden lines for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a single-handedtoilet paper dispenser. The single-handed toilet paper dispenserprovides two spool pins that snugly engage the inner circumferentialwalls of the lumen of a toilet roll, one spool pin at each end thereof.The snug engagement provides a preselected frictional force between theportions of the inner circumferential walls engaging the spool pins sothat a user may pull on the distal end of the toilet paper roll androtate the entire roll to its end, yet if the same user tugs at the samelocation with more force, one or more toilet paper sheets tear off at anupstream perforation.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7 , the present invention may include asingle-handed toilet paper dispenser 100. The single-handed toilet paperdispenser 100 may provide two lumen engaging spool-pins 18 and 22dimensioned and adapted to snugly engaging each end, respectively, ofthe lumen of the toilet paper roll 28. The snug engagement provides apredetermined frictional force resisting the motion of the toilet paperroll 28 on the spool-pins 18 and 22 (about a longitudinal axis of eachspool-pin 18 and 22).

Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be substantially cylindrical along its body40, wherein the distal end 42 of the body tapers inward or is rounded.Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be made from wood or various plasticizedmaterials. The longitudinal lengths of the body 40 of the spool pins 18and 22 in one iteration are 23.2 millimeters (mm) or approximately 0.91inches on the stationary arm 14 and 22.6 millimeters (mm) orapproximately 0.89 inches on the pivoting arm 20. The diameter of thebody 40 may be approximately 42.2 millimeters (mm) or approximately 1.66inches. Though other diameters may be used so that the frictionalengagement disclosed herein is realized.

Each spool-pin 18 and 22 may be connected to the distal ends of arms 16and 20, respectively. The opposing (proximal) ends of the arms 16 and 20may be connected to a mounting plate 10 for attaching the single-handedtoilet paper dispenser 100 to a supporting surface 34. The mountingplate 10 may provide fastener holes 12 for fasteners 32, though otherforms of connection of the arms 16 and 20 to the supporting surface 34are contemplated herein.

One or both spool-pins 18 and 22 may be pivotably connected relative tothe supporting surface 34. In one embodiment, a pivot point 26operatively associates a first arm 20 to the mounting plate 10. In otherembodiments, the arms 16 and 20 may be directly attached to thesupporting surface 34, pivotably or fixed. In most embodiments at leastone arm 20 is movable between a disengaged/open position and anengaged/closed position. In the embodiments where only one arm 20 ispivotably connected, the other arm 16 is referred sometimes as thestationary arm. In one embodiment, shown in the Figures, the pivot point26 may include operatively associating knuckles 14 and 24 on theproximal end of the hinged arm 20 and the distal ends of the mountingplate 10, respectively, with a pivot pin pivotably connecting theknuckles 14 and 24.

In certain embodiments, the arms 16 and 20 may be approximately 101 mmin longitudinal length (from distal end to proximal end). Though, otherlengths may be used as long as the toilet paper roll 30 is installedbetween the spool pins 18 and 22 and does not contact the mounting plate10 or the supporting surface 34 during use.

The snug engagement of the bodies 40 of the spool pines 18 and 22 on theinner circumferential walls of the roll 28 causes friction whichcontrols the speed of the roll 28 when radial or tangential force isapplied by way of pulling or tugging on the distal end of the toiletpaper 30. When the roll 28 reaches a certain speed, as the user 36increases their tangential from (say, from a pull to a tug) excessfriction causes a toilet paper sheet to separate at a perforation line.

Consider individuals who have lost the use of one hand or arm. It isvery difficult for them to get the right amount of toilet paper withoutthe roll unrolling onto the floor. Consider a parent whose childrenunroll too much toilet paper than is needed. Consider an individual in abusiness which has a restroom and how wasteful employees and customerscan be. To tug on a roll of toilet paper which, in essence, tugs back,can save money and can make those who are unable to use both hands happyto have one of these dispensers.

Additionally, the present invention contemplates wherever friction is aviable force in limiting the free-rolling of media wound on a tube, orother similar media; where mechanical, or other means, are inappropriateor impractical, making the configured spool pins a boon.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refersto a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number.And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety.Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting,referring instead individually to any and all values falling within therange, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such arange is incorporated into the specification as if it were individuallyrecited herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel,substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees.For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” meansperpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term“length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes ofthis disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object fromside to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above”generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher thananother object although not directly overlying the object. Further, forpurposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication”generally refers to components being in direct physical contact witheach other or being in indirect physical contact with each other wheremovement of one component affect the position of the other.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “suchas,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to betterilluminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scopeof the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential tothe practice of the disclosed embodiments.

In the following description, it is understood that terms such as“first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, arewords of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting termsunless specifically stated to the contrary.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A toilet paper dispenser comprising: two spoolpins spaced apart so that each spool pin, respectively, directly engagesone of two end portions of a lumen of a toilet paper roll so that afirst pull along a distal end of the toilet paper of the toilet paperroll results in rotating the toilet paper roll on the two spool pins,and wherein a second pull, greater in force than the first pull, resultsin one or more toilet paper sheets of the toilet paper detaching from anupstream perforation of the toilet paper, whereby the one or more toiletsheets are detached single-handedly.
 2. The toilet paper dispenser ofclaim 1, wherein each spool pin has a substantially cylindrical body,wherein the body directly engages an inner circumferential wall of theend portion of said lumen.
 3. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 2,wherein the body has a body diameter that is coextensive with a diameterdefined by the inner circumferential wall.
 4. The toilet paper dispenserof claim 3, wherein the body diameter is approximately 42.2 millimeters.5. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 4, wherein the body has alongitudinal length of approximately 23.2 millimeters.
 6. The toiletpaper dispenser of claim 5, wherein one of the two spool pins is movablerelative the other spool pin and from its respective end portion of saidlumen.
 7. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 6, further comprising twoarms, one arm for each spool pin, wherein one of the two arms ispivotably connected to a supporting surface which supports the spacingapart of the two spool pins.
 8. The toilet paper dispenser of claim 7,wherein a pivotal arm moves between an open position and a closedposition directly engaging the end portion of said lumen.